2: Kitchen / Utility
Lighting is an important aspect of kitchen design, as it helps to create the right atmosphere and make the space bright and functional. In this article, we'll provide some tips on how to achieve flexible lighting design in your kitchen, using layers of light to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
* This area is the heart of the home, so it needs flexible lighting design, using layers of light to create a bright and functional lighting when required, adapting to a softer atmosphere for dining or relaxing.
* Start by drawing a floor plan of your kitchen, showing worksurfaces, cupboards & wall-cabinets, shelves, island/peninsular units, breakfast bar/dining table/area.
* If using recessed downlights for task lighting over worksurfaces, be careful to position them over the worksurface itself in order that you are not in shadow when standing there. This normally means that they should be set 550mm back from the wall.
* If there are wall-cabinets over the worksurface, use linear LED striplighting on the underside for effective and even task lighting in this area. To make sure these are bright enough, use minimum 10W/m LED strip.
* When using LED striplighting remember that each unit will need it's own power supply, usually located within 2-3m of the end of the strip.
* If there are tall or full-height cupboards, take care to position the recessed downlights in front of the cupboard, to wash light down the face of the unit rather than lighting the top of it!
* Feature pendants over a kitchen island or peninsular unit, either 1,2 or 3 depending on size and style, will look good and can provide plenty of task lighting. Brightbox has a super range of pendants, click here to see them, but make sure that the style you select directs plenty of light downwards onto the working surface.
* if there's a feature splashback behind the hob, use linear LED striplighting or miniature downlights (depending on the effect you want) to wash light down it. This should be switched separately from any task lighting within the cooker hood/extractor.
For larger kitchens, additional ambient lighting might be needed in circulation areas. In this case recessed downlights are most effective, positioned approx 1.0m apart and 1.0m from the nearest light fitting.